Thursday, August 27, 2009

I was sorting through some old correspondence and found this photo from the late 60's early 70's displaying my early baking prowess. When all my friends were getting easy bake ovens, I got a mixmaster from my grandmother, thus earning the nickname of "Susie Homemaker" at a very young age.

Love the bell bottoms, don't you?

I still have a few of the original Bisquick recipes that were family favorites and continue to be guest favorites today.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

In The YardAmericus Garden Inn Bed & BreakfastStory and photos by Becky HollandAmericus Times Recorder

The black-eyed Susans are almost as tall as Susan Egelseer, owner/innkeeper of the Americus Garden Inn Bed & Breakfast.

AMERICUS August 12, 2009 03:48 pm— In the middle of the city of Americus, directly across from Rees Park Economic Development Center, sits an old, historic home which serves as Americus Garden Inn Bed & Breakfast.Though the inn itself provides enough history and color for many hours of pleasure and entertainment — it is what is found outdoors, directly behind the inn, that serves as an oasis, a labyrinth for registered guests and two cats named Squeaky and Kitten.It is a garden that hosts, according to Kim Egelseer, owner/innkeeper, “ 100 trees, 416 shrubs and 750 perennials.”His wife Susan said, “After the tornado, we lost many of our trees. Before the tornado, all we had were the trees and grass, and I guess, after experiencing that, we just wanted to offer something for our guests ... a meandering path, somewhere serene where they can go and feel at peace.”Working with a landscape architect from Atlanta, the Egelseers worked hard in installing plantings.“Everything is all new,” said Susan, adding that the site had lost about 30 trees. “People came and mourned our trees after the tornado. Now they come through and they walk through the path, and they ooh and aah.”The cats hide between the plants, including the “Mickey Mouse” flowers — called that because of the shape with “ears” and a “face.” There is a gazebo at the back of the garden which offers those who enjoy the site some shade and coolness in which to rest and relax.“The garden is just a a surprise to most people. One person wrote that they saw humming birds in the garden and thought that was great.”Thinking for moment Susan said, “Peace and serenity is how she would describe the garden.”Squeaky, hiding among the flowers and the canna lilies (taller than Shaquille O’Neal could ever dream of being), smiled with his snaggle tooth grin it seemed, as if he agreed.